Watching a tangled web of deceit unfold has never been so much fun. Mastering the British farce by Ray Cooney, Drayton Entertainment’s Out of Order is now on stage at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.
Opening night of the show had the audience resembling a rollicking ocean, with mirthfully shaking shoulders and rearing guffawing heads.
The play’s silliest of scenarios was no doubt one of the most difficult to produce, requiring the impeccable timing and blocking that makes it appear so easy and so funny.
A fantastic cast and direction by Sara-Jeanne Hosie made it so.
The story begins with Tory Junior Minister Richard Willey gleefully anticipating a clandestine tryst at the Westminster Hotel with opposition typist Jane Worthington.
Claiming an all-night parliamentary debate to his wife Pamela, champagne and oysters are ordered and “something more comfortable” donned when a dead body is discovered in their suite; a real mood destroyer.
A pyramid of lies and folly ensues in Willey’s effort to avoid a scandal. He begins by enlisting the scapegoat services of his mama’s boy secretary, George Pigden.
A droll hotel manager, greedy waiter, jealous husband, gothic chambermaid and tyrannical nurse further the plot.
The crucial physical comedy is well choreographed and flawless. Misconstrued actions abound.
The grown man’s “body” is shuffled around and stuffed into undignified receptacles with ease.
Slamming doors and a guillotine-like window threaten limb and livelihood. Physical exertion is evidenced only by sweaty brows.
Exaggerated British accents with long drawn-out syllables never failed to tickle.
All actors were previously in Drayton Entertainment productions except for Lauren Bowler who plays Jane of the would-be tryst.
One of the funniest moments in the show is the face that she assumes in a desperate effort to disguise herself.
Jacob James as George Pigden is all wide blue-eyed stares as he both discovers and nearly loses his manhood in an effort to divert blame from his boss.
His appeal gains momentum throughout the show as a sympathetic, lovable character.
Darren Keay is Richard Willey, dapper as he spins his web of deceit, though eventually crumbling under the weight of it. That exasperation entertains, as laughing at mishaps, perhaps earned, are a joy to behold in this genre.
Dan Payne as Jane’s cuckolded husband Ronnie roars on stage like a lion and goes out like a lamb, enjoyably commanding the stage.
David Talbot as the enterprising waiter is one nosy parker that is fun to watch.
The “body” is played with remarkable control and a bit of a surprise by Andrew Scanlon.
Kristian Truelsen as the hotel manager has seen it all and more and maintains his composure, while Glynis Ranney as Pamela Willey hilariously loses hers.
Sarah Lynn Strange as the maid and Amanda Leigh as the nurse are characters with brief roles that shine.
The action all took place in the hotel suite,of pleasingly posh design by Samantha Burson.
If laughter is the best medicine, a very healthy audience exited the theatre after a hearty standing ovation.
Out of Order is on stage until Sept. 1.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse box office, online at www.draytonentertainment.com or by calling the box office at 519-747-7788 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).
